It's been nearly two decades since the game has featured such a strong crop of young talent. With the steroid era in the rearview mirror, the next generation of baseball superstars is ready to shoulder the load.

Sporting News takes look a the future of professional baseball with our 25-and-Under All-Stars. First up, a position-by-position list of the best young players in the National League:

COMING NEXT WEEK: The American League

Use arrow keys to navigate

1

of 14

Catcher: Wilin Rosario, Rockies

Age: 24
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): .277/.311/.476, 15 HR, 52 RBI
Batter Up: The hard-hitting righty has a short, compact swing and more than 200 games under his belt at the Major League level. While he has had the benefit of playing in hitter-friendly Coors Field, his road splits are extremely strong, including a higher road batting average and on-base percentage.
Honorable Mention: Devin Mesoraco, Reds (25)

2

of 14

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

Age: 25
2013 Stats (As of 7/31):. 303/.388/.539, 24 HR, 86 RBI
Batter Up: The NL is full of talented young first baseman, and few expected Goldschmidt to be at the top of the list. The all-time leader in home runs at Texas State is having an outstanding 2013, as evidenced by his inclusion in July’s All-Star Game. It’s easy to see why the Diamondbacks offered him a $32-million contract extension in March, as he’s in the top-10 among NL hitters in nearly every offensive category.
Honorable Mention: Freddie Freeman, Braves (23)

3

of 14

Second Base: Anthony Rendon, Nationals

Age: 23
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): .255 BA, 52 H, 23 R
Batter Up: The sixth pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, Rendon is the National’s newest high-profile prospect to get called up to the big leagues. He has tremendous plate discipline and his pitch recognition is as good as many elite veteran hitters. Despite being a standout third baseman in college, Rendon has all the tools to be an elite second baseman for years to come.
Honorable Mention: D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies (25)

4

of 14

Shortstop: Jean Segura, Brewers

Age: 23
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): .317 BA, 60 R, 42 RBI, 31 SB
Batter Up: It took Segura five years to work his way up from the Dominican League to MLB, but since his arrival he has been one of the most complete young shortstops in the game. Named to the All-Star team in his first full season with the Brewers, Segura arguably is the NL's best fielding shortstop (he is ranked in the top 3 in putouts and assists). He also has elite speed, and with the exception of one infamous blunder, is an excellent base runner.
Honorable Mention: Didi Gregorius, Diamondbacks (23)

5

of 14

Third Base: Nolan Arenado, Rockies

Age: 22
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): .252 BA, 29 R, 35 RBI
Batter Up: Always touted as a dangerous hitter, Arenado has developed the range needed to be a long-time factor at the hot corner. Often referred to as “The Sharknado” because of his dynamic, often unorthodox fielding, Arenado is one of the best top prospects across the board in terms of fielding.
Honorable Mention: Jedd Gyorko, Padres (24)

6

of 14

Outfield: Bryce Harper, Nationals

Age: 20
2013 Stats (7/31): .273/.370/.529, 44 R, 15 HR, 35 RBI
Batter Up: The man they call “Beast Mode” is the poster boy for the new generation of hard-hitting, hard-nosed players who play at one speed: fast. If he’s not throwing people out from the warning track, he’s stealing home. If he’s not hitting walk-off home runs, he’s putting his body on the line. Not only does he possess all the tools, he uses them in the most entertaining way possible.
Honorable Mention: Domonic Brown, Phillies (25)

7

of 14

Outfield: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

Age: 23
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): .256/.375/.491, 13 HR, 34 RBI
Batter Up: Stanton made his MLB debut at just 19 years old, becoming the third youngest player in Marlins history. The right fielder has elite power and tremendous bat speed, making him arguably the most feared slugger in the NL. He has spent each of the last three seasons perfecting his craft at the plate, a scary fact considering he still hasn’t reached the prime of his career.
Honorable Mention: Starling Marte, Pirates (24)

8

of 14

Outfield: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers

Age: 22
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): .364/.408/.579, 36 R, 10 HR, 23 RBI
Batter Up: Only Joe DiMaggio had a better first month in the big leagues than Puig, who made his debut on June 3. In his first month, Puig had 44 hits and a scary .436/.467/.713 slash line. He’s a lightning rod for debate, from his All-Star Game snub to his brash style of play. But the Cuban sensation is must-see TV, and he will be for years to come.
Honorable Mention: Jason Heyward, Braves (23)

9

of 14

Starting pitcher: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Age: 25
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): 10-6, 1.88 ERA, 161 SO, 0.85 WHIP
Batter Up: Not only is Kershaw the best pitcher on this list, he may the top hurler in all of baseball. He’s a strikeout pitcher who relies a lot on his unique delivery and dominating fastball. He rarely gives up earned runs and is known to get better as the season goes on. He already has a Cy Young Award under his belt.

Enough said.
Honorable Mention: Jose Fernandez, Marlins (20)

10

of 14

Starting pitcher: Matt Harvey, Mets

Age: 24
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): 8-2, 2.11 ERA, 164 SO, 0.88 WHIP
Batter Up: Harvey is the now. He started the All-Star Game after having logged less than a full season of work. Analysts and scouts, comparing him to Curt Schilling and Andy Pettitte, have lauded his arm strength and control. Harvey throws both a two-seam and a four-seam fastball extremely well, and he leans on his dominant slider to baffle hitters. The future of the Mets organization will be built around the dominant young pitcher, whose individual accolades are already starting to pile up in his first full season.
Honorable Mention: Zack Wheeler, Mets (23)

11

of 14

Starting pitcher: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals

Age: 25
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): 5-9, 3.04 ERA, 134 SO, 1.08 WHIP
Batter Up: Despite his misleading 2013 W-L record, Strasburg still is considered one of the top arms in MLB. With the talk of “pitch count” and "innings limit” in the past, the Nats ace continues to learn his way around a big league strike zone. But with a hellacious fastball and menacing slider, Strasburg is nearly untouchable when his command is locked in. Touted as the “best prospect of all time” in 2009, he has lived up to a majority of the hype.
Honorable Mention: Julio Teheran, Braves (22)

12

of 14

Starting pitcher: Madison Bumgarner, Giants

Age: 23
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): 10-6, 2.76 ERA, 135 SO, 0.95 WHIP
Batter Up: It’s hard to imagine that Bumgarner is still just 23 years old considering he threw eight scoreless innings in the 2010 World Series (when he became the fourth youngest player in MLB history to start a Fall Classic game). While he never has compiled an eye-popping won/loss record, he has never finished a season with
an ERA higher than 3.37. The Giants would not have two World Series victories in the past three years without his help, and the the 2012 championship might not be his last.
Honorable Mention: Matt Latos, Reds (25)

13

of 14

Starting pitcher: Shelby Miller, Cardinals

Age: 22
2013 Stats (As of 7/31): 10-7, 2.79 ERA, 124 SO, 1.11 WHIP Batter Up: Miller made his MLB debut last September, and after gaining invaluable experience during the Cardinals’ surprise postseason run, the 22-year-old flamethrower has turned into one of the best young pitchers in the game. His strikeout and walk rates are strong for a rookie pitcher, and he does a good job mixing up his pitches. In an organization that constantly churns out dominant pitchers, Miller looks to be the next great Cardinals ace.
Honorable Mention: Gerrit Cole, Pirates (22)

14

of 14

Pitcher: Craig Kimbrel, Braves

Age: 25
2013Stats (As of 7/31): 31 SV, 1.34 ERA, 62 SO, 0.94 WHIP
Batter Up: The 5-11 reliever made his MLB debut in 2010. In his first full season as Braves closer in 2011, he set the MLB record for saves by a rookie with 46. While Aroldis Chapman might have the stronger arm, there is a reason Kimbrel has been an All-Star in each of the last three seasons. He’s dominant and consistent, relying on a combination of a four-seam fastball and power curveball to get batters to whiff, and he does so at an alarming rate. Barring injuries, which he’s managed to avoid most of his career, he looks to be the premier closer for years to come in the NL.
Honorable Mention: Aroldis Chapman, Reds (25)